Minnesota selected Bouchard in the first round, eighth overall, of the 2002 National Hockey League Draft. In 565 career NHL games, all with Minnesota, he’s scored 106 goals and 241 assists for 347 points with a plus-15 rating. Bouchard ranks second in Wild history with 565 games, fourth with 106 goals, second with 241 assists and third with 347 points.

Bouchard played two seasons of major junior hockey with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, earning QMJHL Rookie of the Year honors in 2000-01 and QMJHL Most Valuable Player and Canadian Hockey League Player of the Year in 2001-02. Since turning pro in 2002-03, his only professional season outside the NHL came during the 2004-05 lockout, when he scored 54 points (12 goals, 42 assists) in 67 American Hockey League games with the Houston Aeros.

On the international stage, Bouchard won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2003 World Junior Championships. He also represented Canada at the 2002 Under-18 World Junior Championships and played with Canada-Quebec at the 2001 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.